What was one major global impact of the diffusion of crops such as potatoes and maize from the Americas?

• A. Caused a global decline in average caloric intake
• B. Supported population growth and changed land use in Europe and Asia
• C. Had little effect outside the Americas
• D. Led to a decrease in crop diversity

Answer: (B)

Introducing high-yield, calorie-dense crops from the Americas—potatoes and maize—transformed global agriculture by expanding the available food supply in Europe and Asia. Potatoes yield a lot of calories per acre and tolerate diverse soils and climates, while maize is adaptable across many regions. This extra, reliable food helped support larger populations, and as people grew, land use shifted: more land was devoted to cultivating these staples, farming systems changed (new crop rotations and practices), and settlement patterns adjusted to production needs. In short, the diffusion of these crops contributed to population growth and substantial changes in how land was used in Europe and Asia.